Staff Profiles: Diane Field

After working as a teacher in the United Kingdom for over 15 years, holding curriculum posts for Science, PE and Humanities, and as a Senior Manager supporting schools in staff and curriculum development and developing links with the community, I was looking for a new challenge.

With an interest in travel, the opportunities offered by working in International Education were always in the back if my mind, and after talking to friends about their experiences began to realise how interesting and rewarding it could be to work overseas. So, around 16 years ago I arrived in Bangkok with two suitcases and never looked back! After 8 years in one of the larger international schools in the city I was looking for something different. I found that at St Andrews International School Bangkok. As a child, a teacher or a parent, no one could ask for a more welcoming, friendly and supportive community.

I enjoy seeing new places and never tire of travelling around Asia, but, after living and working in Bangkok for so long I am always amazed that I still enjoy 'being a tourist' in the city and that there is always something new to discover.

Colleagues have often debated what makes St. Andrews so special. A great education is, of course, what we are here to provide, but it is so much more than that. St. Andrews is a community that genuinely cares about everybody who is a part of it. The children are relaxed and happy so will do the best they can. The teachers are respected and valued so will go the extra mile. The parents feel welcome and supported.

A very old school motto I read in a museum recently said, "It's not the ship, it's the crew". I couldn't have put it better myself!